On Medicare Anniversary, Arizona Seniors Can’t Trust Walter and Rogers to Protect Them

On the 49th Anniversary of Medicare, Arizona voters should beware – Republican congressional candidates Andrew Walter and Wendy Rogers each support radical ideas that are right in line with Washington Republicans’ dangerous plans for forcing them to pay more for their care. Wendy Rogers supported Paul Ryan’s budget plan that cuts Medicare and supports tax breaks for millionaires, while Andrew Walter backs increasing the retirement age, which would increase out-of-pocket spending for seniors.

“Today’s anniversary should be a celebration of our commitment to preserve and strengthen Medicare, but if Andrew Walter and Wendy Rogers got their way, this would be the last anniversary of Medicare,” said Tyrone Gayle of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Arizona seniors should know that Andrew Walter and Wendy Rogers’ dangerous plans for Medicare would leave them without their hard-earned benefits.”

BACKGROUND

Rogers Endorsed Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan. In June 2012, Rogers said in a candidate forum that she like Paul Ryan’s controversial Medicare plan. Rogers: What are we going to do about Medicare? I like what Paul Ryan has to say: not change anything for seniors 55 and older, but then inject more competition and more choice into Medicare beneath the age of 55. [YouTube, Chandler Candidate Forum, 6/04/12]

Said that Medicare was “the Biggest Footprint on the National Debt Scene.” In June 2012, Rogers said that Medicare contributed to the national debt, calling it “the elephant in the room.” Rogers: The Ryan plan […] talks about reforming the biggest footprint on the national debt scene of everything: Medicare. That’s the elephant in the room. [YouTube, Chandler Candidate Forum, 6/04/12]

Walter Supported Increasing Retirement Age for Medicare. In 2013, Walter stated on his campaign website that he supported increasing the retirement age for Medicare. “In order to preserve these programs for younger Americans, I believe gradually implementing means testing and gradually increasing the retirement age will strengthen and sustain these programs,” Walter wrote on his campaign website. [Andrew Walter Campaign Website, accessed 5/14/13]

Kaiser Family Foundation: Raising Medicare Retirement Age would Shift Costs to Seniors. According to a July 2011 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, raising the age of Medicare eligibility increase costs for 65 and 66 year-olds by an average of $2,200 per year in premiums, and all medicare beneficiaries would pay higher premiums. [Kaiser Family Foundation report, July 2011]